Download Field Inspection Policy | Protection Of Openings and Penetrations

Planning & Development Services
BOISE
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Boise City Hall, 2nd Floor
150 N. Capitol Boulevard
P. 0. Box 500
Boise, Idaho 83701-0500
Phone: 208/384-3802
Fax: 208/384-3867
TDD/TTY: 800/377-3529
Website: www.cityofboise.org/pds
Planning & Development Services
Building Division Policy
Title:
Protection of Openings and Penetrations Field Inspection Policy
Code Name:
Idaho State Plumbing Code (ISPC)
2012 International Mechanical Code (IMC)
2014 National Electrical Code (NEC)
2012 International Building Code (/BC)
Code Sections:
(313.7, 701.1.2, 1501.1); (302.2); (300.21); (1705.16)
Code Language:
• Piping penetrations of fire-resistance-rated walls, partitions, floors, floor/ceiling
assemblies, roo£1ceiling assemblies, or shaft enclosures shall be protected in accordance
with the requirements of the Building code, applicable standards referenced in Table
14-1 and chapter 15, "Firestop Protection." (ISPC 313. 7)
• ABS and PVC DWV piping installations shall be installed in accordance with
applicable standards in Table 14-1 and Chapter 15 "Fire stop Protection" (ISPC
701.1.2)
• Piping penetrations of required fire-resistance-rated walls, partitions, floors,
floor/ceiling assemblies, roo£1ceiling assemblies, or shaft enclosures shall be protected
in accordance with the requirements of the Building Code, and this chapter. (ISPC
1501.1)
• Penetrations of floor/ceiling assemblies and assemblies required to have a
fire­resistance rating shall be protected in accordance with the International Building
Code. (IMC 302.2)
• Electrical installations in hollow spaces, vertical shafts, and ventilation or air­
handling ducts shall be made so that the possible spread of fire or products of
combustion will not be substantially increased. Openings around electrical penetrations
into or through fire-resistant-rated walls, partitions, floors, or ceilings shall be fire
stopped using approved methods to maintain the fire resistance rating. (NEC 300.21)
• Fire-resistant penetrations and joints. In high-rise buildings or in buildings assigned
to Risk Category III or IV in accordance with Section 1604.5, special inspections for
through-penetrations, membrane penetration firestops, fire�resistant joint systems, and
perimeter fire barrier systems that are tested and listed in accordance with sections
714.3.1.2, 714.4.1.2, 715.3 and 715.4 shall be in accordance with Section 1705.16. l or
1705.16.2. (1705.16)
Scope of Policy: This policy outlines field inspection protocol in new and existing construction that
has through-penetrations, membrane penetrations or opening protection requirements for fire or smoke
rated walls, ceilings, floor assemblies and other building systems.
Policy: Where a building permit is issued, the through penetrations, membrane penetrations and
opening protection of fire or smoke rated walls, ceilings, of floor assemblies for plumbing piping and
mechanical ducting and electrical installations will be verified by the building structural inspector or a
special inspector specifically contracted under IBC section 1705.16, as applicable. Dampers in HVAC
installations will be inspected in accordance with the Mechanical section Smoke & Combination
Fire/Smoke Damper Field Inspection Policy.
In cases where trade permitted work occurs in high-rise buildings, or buildings assigned to Risk
Category III or IV in accordance with IBC section 1604.5, and new or modifications to existing
through-penetrations, membrane penetration firestops, fire-resistant joint systems, or perimeter fire
barrier systems have occurred, a building structural field inspector will be required to determine
whether or not a qualified special inspector is needed to approve the new work being performed. In this
scenario, an MIS case will be created by the trade permit inspector notifying a building structural field
inspector to perform this evaluation.
In all other buildings where no building permit is issued (i.e. equipment change outs, minor ducting,
piping, or electrical installations) it will be the trade permit inspector's responsibility and discretion to
either approve minor cases of a modified fire rated assembly with protection of through-penetrations,
membrane penetrations or openings or determine if it will require an additional field inspection by the
building structural field inspector. In the latter case, an MIS case will be created by the trade permit
inspector notifying a building structural field inspector to perform this additional inspection to verify
the integrity of any through penetrations, membrane penetrations, or opening protection of fire or
smoke rated walls, ceilings and floor assemblies reconstruction.
In any existing building, if a structural modification to a wall, ceiling or roof assembly is necessary to
accommodate trade permitted work, a separate building permit will be required.
Intent: On occasion, stand-alone trade permitted work can result in building modifications that
compromise fire and/or smoke rated wall, ceiling, or floor assembly construction. The trade inspector
will need to use discretion and determine if they can approve the work in minor cases or if it will need
to escalate requiring inspection by building inspection personnel or a special inspector possessing
additional expertise in evaluating proper penetration and opening protection. This policy is intended to
provide guidance for City field inspection personnel to determine who is responsible for approval of
through-penetrations, membrane penetrations, and opening protection in fire or smoke rated walls,
ceilings or floor assemblies in new and existing construction depending on the parameters outlined
abo
nd the actual scope of work permitted.
Bob Archibald
Structural Inspection Supervisor
William Vandegrttf
Plumb
Mechanical Inspection Supervisor
ano
Fire Plan Review & Inspection Supervisor
Date Retired
2